By Jones Anlimah
The Anfoega Traditional Area has taken a decisive stand to end child marriage. Traditional leaders of the area have pledged to protect the rights of children, especially girls, and safeguard their future. The decision is spearheaded by the paramount chief of the area, Togbe Teprehodo, and is backed by chiefs, queen mothers, religious leaders, and youth leaders of the area.
This initiative forms part of a campaign by a non-governmental organisation, the Obaapa Development Foundation, dubbed “Ending Child Marriage in Ghana: One Paramountcy at a Time.” The campaign aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, and Goal 4, which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Child marriage remains a major challenge in Ghana, with devastating consequences for girls’ health, education, and economic opportunities. It perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, undermining national progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Themed “Ending Child Marriage in Ghana: One Paramountcy at a Time,” the campaign by the Obaapa Development Foundation seeks to empower communities to end child marriage.
At a declaration durbar, the Executive Director of the Obaapa Development Foundation, Nana Hemaa Awindor, emphasised that child marriage is not just a violation of human rights but also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and denies girls the opportunity to reach their full potential. She stressed the urgency of tackling child marriage and called for collective action.
“Child marriage is not just a cultural issue but a social ill that affects the development of our communities and our nation. By taking this stand, the Anfoega Traditional Area is setting an example for other paramountcies across Ghana. We must work together to educate and empower our communities to prioritise the future of our girls over outdated practices,” Nana Hemaa Awindor stated.
The Gender Lead at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Doris Mawuse Aglobitse, highlighted the importance of community-driven efforts and noted that the UNFPA remains committed to supporting this fight through education, advocacy, and capacity-building to ensure every girl has the right to choose her future.
“We will celebrate when we register no single case of child marriage. That is when we will celebrate. So it means the work is now beginning, and the real task is that we will start monitoring to see whether, from today, we will have any record at all of child marriage in the Anfoega Traditional Area,” Dr. Doris Mawuse Aglobitse stated.
The Chief Director at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mrs. Halima Yakubu, emphasised that by making this declaration and commitment, the Anfoega Traditional Area is sending a clear message that cultural practices can and must adapt to uphold the dignity and rights of children, especially girls. “Work with us, and we will work with you. Together, we will promote Anfoega, the Volta Region, and Ghana, and we will protect the child,” she said.
The paramount chief of the Anfoega Traditional Area, Togbe Teprehodo, made a pledge to end child marriage in the area. “I commit to helping and ensuring that we completely eradicate child marriage from the Anfoega community,” Togbe Teprehodo pledged.
The pledge by Togbe Teprehodo of the Anfoega Traditional Area is not just a statement but a call to action. The community plans to implement awareness campaigns, enforce existing child protection laws, and work closely with families and other stakeholders to promote alternatives to early marriage, such as education and vocational training.
